Despite overwhelming evidence in support of Confessions, critics of the book have not been shy to voice their doubt and skepticism about the truth of John Perkins’ allegations against U.S. foreign policy. Some of those critics are also unconvinced that EHM practices—even if they did take place during the 1970s—would still be around today.
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has a few words for them. In a recent speech, Chavez not only mentioned John Perkins and Confessions by name, he also stated that he had first-hand knowledge of economic hit men and their subversive strategies:
“The president referred to the book Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins, saying that these economic hit men approached him at one point. He said he was offered funds from the IMF if he agreed to surveillance flights and the presence of US advisers in the FAN. Even though he refused their offers, he said, these economic hit men did not give up and tried to exert pressure through ‘weak’ government officials, legislators and even military officers around him. Chavez said that, as Perkins explains in his book, the jackals step in and stage coups d'etat and assassination plots when the economic hit men failed in their mission. ‘We have defeated the hit men and the jackals, and if they even consider coming back, we will defeat them again,’ he stressed to cheers from the crowd.”
Chavez’s actual experience with EHM in Venezuela directly supports John Perkins’ story. The speech also goes to show that the underhanded practices of EHM have not faded from the international political arena. On the contrary, EHM have infiltrated more governments around the world, and the companies these EHM work for have brought more bad-faith projects and loans to the table than ever before.
We at Berrett-Koehler know that in order to have any impact on the problem of modern EHM practices, we must first know where they are working and the projects they are working on. Starting this month, we will be sending “EHM Alerts” every three weeks, calling attention to various parts of the world that may currently be subject to EHM influence. John Perkins, as an advisor to the project, will help us identify target countries and explain the implications of each situation.
We also ask for your help and participation: if you come across any information that you think holds the potential for significant EHM-related activity, email Jenny Williams and let us know.
|
